Media Release
Call this a joyful Christmas lift: patients at Huntington Health, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate, welcomed the Pasadena Police Air Operations Section and the Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) for “Operation Polar Wind,” a special visit to the hospital’s pediatric and NICU patients. Pasadena Police Chief Eugene Harris escorted Santa Claus to Huntington Hospital via his sleigh (a helicopter), carrying toys for young patients. Santa was greeted with a “spirit tunnel” created by Huntington employees and families impacted by the Eaton fire.
The hospital’s 20th annual toy drive was made possible through generous contributions from Pasadena Police Department employees and officer associations participating in the FAST program throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Each year, these community heroes donate from their own pockets to support Huntington’s pediatric and NICU departments. Huntington NICU families also received a special “Baby’s 1st Christmas” photo ornament from PPD.
At the close of the celebration, John M. Corman, MD, interim president and chief clinical officer of Huntington Health, and Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris honored Pasadena Police Air Operations Section facilities manager Jose Valdez with a certificate of appreciation recognizing his 20 consecutive years of participation in Operation Polar Wind. Families, patients, and staff deeply appreciated his decades of dedication and generosity.
The donations were also provided by the Arcadia, Covina, Glendora, Irwindale, Pasadena, San Marino, and South Pasadena Police Departments, along with the Pasadena Police Foundation and their generous corporate partners.
